Cosmetic applicator

ABSTRACT

A packaging and application device including a container containing the composition to be applied, an applicator for applying the cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or eyebrows, the applicator including a core, at least one element attached to the core, each element comprising a central part fitted onto the core and at least one application member carried by the central part, a composition collection surface being formed by the proximity between two different portions of one and the same application member or of two adjacent application members, the gap between these portions being sufficiently small for a bridge of composition to be able to form there by surface tension, these portions being situated at a distance from the central part of greater than or equal to 0.5 mm.

The present invention relates to applicators for applying a cosmeticcomposition to the eyelashes or eyebrows, having an applicator part madeup of a core and a plurality of elements attached to the core, eachelement having a central part fitted onto the core and at least oneapplication member carried by the central part.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,241 B2 discloses a first applicator of thistype. The core is constituted for example by a metal hairpin folded onitself and twisted, or by a shaft of non-circular cross section, thecentral part being passed through by one or more openings withcorresponding shapes.

The U.S. Pat. No. 9,591,916 B2 discloses further examples of applicatorsof this type, the central parts being in the form of disks that can beproduced with complementary reliefs which allow them to be positionedwith a mutually predefined angular orientation. The application membersare constituted of simple spikes or, in a variant, of spikes that haveshort offshoots about a third of the way along their length. In furthervariants, the application members are in the form of tabs, the thicknessof which decreases in the direction of the radially outer edge of theelement, these tabs being flattened in one and the same plane as thecentral part. The tabs may be provided with concentric striations aboutthe axis of the core, of small depth, or bosses or indentations of smallsize, forming a surface roughness.

There is a need to further improve applicators of this type, notably inorder to have a good capacity for loading the eyelashes or eyebrows withcosmetic composition, while having satisfactory properties of combingand separating the eyelashes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the invention aim to satisfy this need andrelate to a packaging and application device comprising a containercontaining a cosmetic composition to be applied and an applicator forapplying the cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or eyebrows, theapplicator comprising:

-   -   a core,    -   at least one element attached to the core, each element        comprising a central part fitted onto the core and at least one        application member carried by the central part, a composition        collection surface being formed by the proximity between two        different portions of one and the same application member or of        two adjacent application members, the gap between these portions        being sufficiently small for a bridge of composition to be able        to form there by surface tension, these portions being situated        at a distance from the central part of greater than or equal to        0.5 mm.

Advantageously, the cosmetic composition intended to be applied to theeyelashes and/or eyebrows is a mascara composition. A mascaracomposition conventionally has a viscosity greater than 5 Pa·s, notablybetween 5 Pa·s and 50 Pa·s, at 25° C., in particular measured with theaid of a Rheomat RM100@ machine.

Such a mascara composition conventionally comprises a solids content,generally in an amount greater than or equal to 35% by weight relativeto the total weight of the composition, a pulverulent colorant, inparticular one or more pigments, notably one or more metal oxides, forexample one or more iron oxides, and advantageously a film-formingpolymer. A mascara composition may also conventionally comprise one ormore waxes, in a total amount of in particular between 5 and 40% byweight relative to the total weight of the composition.

In the scope of the present invention, the applicator is particularlysuitable for applying a relatively thick or viscous mascara composition.This is because a mascara composition having a relatively high viscositywill be retained particularly well on the composition collectionsurface, by surface tension between the different portions of one andthe same application member or between two portions of two adjacentapplication members that are separated by a small gap, and will not runthrough this gap, or only run through the latter a little, under its ownweight.

The invention makes use of the fact that said elements can be producedseparately so as to form reliefs thereon which would be difficult, ifnot impossible, to realize on conventional injection-molded brushes, inwhich the application members am molded in one piece of thermoplasticmaterial with the core, on account of the problems associated withdemolding.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, in accordance with theteaching of the document U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,241 B2 or its equivalent FR2 900 319, the core has a longitudinal axis and each element is threadedonto the core along its longitudinal axis before the core is twisted,the core and the element, in particular the core and the central part ofthe element, being mechanically connected in order to substantiallyprevent the element from pivoting freely on the core.

Such a mechanical connection with no possibility of relative rotation ofthe core and the element(s) threaded onto the latter before twisting canbe obtained by means of a core produced in the form of an elongateelement that is made of plastically deformable material and has anon-circular (for example polygonal, such as square, rectangular,triangular, etc., oval, multilobed, etc.) cross section in thenon-twisted state, said core being threaded through an orifice ofcomplementary cross section provided in the central part of each of theelements.

In a variant, the core comprises two wires made of plasticallydeformable material, for example two metal wires, optionally joinedtogether at one of their ends by being produced from a single wirefolded into the form of a hairpin, and the mechanical connection with nopossibility of relative rotation of the core and the element(s) threadedonto the latter before twisting is obtained by threading the wires ofthe core in the non-twisted state into two orifices, preferably withcomplementary shapes, provided in the central part of each of theelements.

The core carrying the element(s) is twisted so as to obtain a helicalspread of the application members along the longitudinal axis of thecore. The expression “the core is twisted” means here that the core,carrying the element(s), is subjected to torsion, realized for exampleby imparting on one of its parts a rotational movement about thelongitudinal axis of the core (for example in the clockwise direction),while the other parts of the core remain rotationally fixed, or aresubjected to a movement in the opposite direction (for example in thecounterclockwise direction). This torsional force is realized so as toimpart a plastic deformation on the core, such that the latter takes onits twisted shape in a stable and definitive manner once this torsionalforce stops being exerted on it.

The present invention is not limited to just the above-describedembodiments for ensuring the mechanical connection with no possibilityof relative rotation between the core and the element, in particularbetween the core and the central part of the element, but rather extendsto all technical equivalents known to a person skilled in the art forproducing such a connection.

The abovementioned distance from the central part of greater than orequal to 0.5 mm, at which the different portions of one and the sameapplication member or of two adjacent application members extend, can,if need be, be greater than or equal to 0.75 mm, 1 mm, 1.25 mm, 1.5 mm,1.75 mm, 2 mm, 2.25 mm, 2.5 mm, or even 2.75 mm or 3 mm. The distance ismeasured radially from the central part. It can be measured between thesurface of the central part and a straight line joining two facingregions of said portions that are at a distance of e or less. Inparticular, the straight line joining the closest points of said facingportions can be at least at said distance from the central part.

The gap between said portions can be less than or equal to 0.3 mm,better still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, even better still less thanor equal to 0.1 mm. The width of this gap can be chosen to besufficiently large to allow the passage of an eyelash but sufficientlysmall to allow the formation of a bridge of composition by surfacetension, following removal of the applicator from the container. Apreferred range for said gap can thus be 0.1 and 0.3 mm.

The expression “different portions of one and the same applicationmember” should be understood as meaning portions which are separated byair in the absence of composition. In other words, the gap between saidportions is formed by air in the absence of composition.

The invention makes it possible to collect composition at a certainradial distance from the central part, in a region which is easilyaccessible for the eyelashes, and makes it possible to load them withcomposition without it being necessary to introduce them deeply into theapplicator part.

The invention makes it possible as it were to “lift” the level of thecomposition on the applicator part, by affording surfaces suitable forthe collection thereof at a certain radial distance from the centralpart.

It is possible to produce almost closed cavities on the applicator part,where the composition can collect, by adjusting the shape of theapplication members and the closeness thereof. The invention can makeuse of the fact that the presence of elements initially separate fromthe core makes it possible to produce them with shapes that areotherwise difficult, if not impossible to mold on a conventionalinjection-molded brush.

Almost closed cavities should be understood as meaning that the adjacentapplication members are close together, at a non-zero radial distancefrom the central part, by a distance less than or equal to 0.3 mm,better still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, even better still less thanor equal to 0.1 mm. The spacing is measured at at least 0.5 mm from thecentral part.

For example, the adjacent application members have a succession ofpointed arches which proceed from the core and define teeth, two ofwhich are sufficiently close together for an almost closed cavity to beformed between the two adjacent application members by the portionthereof which extends from the teeth closest to the central part.

The application member(s) may be solid or hollow. The cavity of theapplication member, when it is hollow, makes it possible to collectproduct by surface tension and thus to increase the autonomy of theapplicator and/or to increase the loading capacity of the applicator,without otherwise losing any capacity for separating and combing theeyelashes. This cavity preferably has a greatest dimension of at least0.2 mm, better still at least 0.5 mm.

The application members can be produced easily with a shape suitable forseparation and combing and in sufficient numbers to obtain asatisfactory makeup effect. As indicated above, the fact that it ispossible to produce the elements separately makes it possible to producethe application members with shapes that it would be difficult, if notimpossible, to realize on a conventional injection-molded brush, inwhich the application members are molded in one piece with the core, onaccount of the problems associated with demolding.

The invention makes it possible, if desired, to produce wide and hollowapplication members that are capable of being loaded with a relativelylarge amount of composition while retaining a certain amount offlexibility, by producing them with the aid of a strand of materialwhich surrounds the cavity, this strand preferably being contained in aplane.

The strand of material can be given any shape depending on the desiredcharacteristics, and notably a constant or non-constant cross sectionaround the perimeter of the cavity. The strand of material can be givena shape that is narrower in places if need be, in order to confergreater flexibility thereon. The strand has a cross section of forexample between 0.04 and 1 mm² around at least a quarter of theperimeter of the cavity that it delimits, better still at least halfthis perimeter, or even three quarters or all thereof. The presence ofthe cavity gives the hollow application members greater flexibility inorder to pass the wiping member with which the container from which thecomposition is taken is equipped.

The greatest width of the, notably hollow, application members, measuredperpendicularly to their elongation axis, is for example greater than orequal to 0.5 mm, being preferably between 0.5 and 5 mm, better stillbetween 1 and 2 mm.

Preferably, the central part and the application members of an elementare produced in one piece by molding thermoplastic material, notablyfrom the same material. Each element which is mounted on the core canhave between 4 and 24 application members.

The element may have hollow application members, the cavity of which hasa closed contour, thereby helping to improve the mechanical integrity ofthe application member, since the latter can then be produced without afree strand of material.

It is thus possible to obtain application members which are both highlyloadable with product and have a good capacity for combing andseparating the eyelashes on account of their mechanical strength.

The cavity formed by a hollow application member can also be almostclosed, that is to say that the strand of material which defines thecavity is interrupted over a short distance instead of extending througha closed loop.

The fact that the applicator is produced with separate elements makes itpossible to easily give the cavity of the hollow application membersvarious shapes, and/or to form almost closed cavities of various shapestherebetween, the element being for example demolded along the axis ofthe central part, which is the general direction in which the corepasses through the central part, this axis being able to be parallel toan axis along which the cavity passes through the application member. Ifneed be, notably when the axis of the cavity is oriented perpendicularlyto a radius, demolding can be carried out with elastic deformation ofthe application member.

In exemplary embodiments, the hollow application member has a strand ofmaterial extending through a complete loop. This strand of material hasfor example a substantially constant cross section around the majorityof the perimeter of the loop, or even around the entire perimeter of theloop.

This loop can extend entirely at a distance from the central part, andthis can have the advantage of forming a reserve of product at alocation relatively far away radially from the core, for example morethan 3 mm from the surface of the central part, this constituting asignificant difference compared with brushes produced byinjection-molding plastics material with simple spikes, the reserve ofproduct then being closed at the base of the spikes in these knownbrushes and not at a significant radial distance from the core.

In exemplary embodiments, the loop forms an enlarged head for theapplication member and is joined to the central part by a leg, which isnotably less wide than said head. This enlarged head can be given aharpoon shape for example, with the additional advantage of improvingthe catching of the eyelashes on the applicator and thus the capacityfor the applicator to control the eyelashes, notably in order to curlthem, in the manner desired by the user. The leg may be a single-strandleg or, in a variant, a multi-strand leg. The height of the leg can begreater than that of the head, the height being measured along theelongation axis of the application member, this axis being preferablyradial. The presence of a single-strand leg can confer greaterflexibility on the application member when this is desired.

When the cavity of the hollow application member extends over themajority of the radial dimension of the application member, notably overmore or less all of its height, apart from the thickness of the strandof material forming the loop, this tends to increase the amount ofproduct which becomes housed in the application member and makes itpossible to benefit from a reserve of product over more or less theentire height of the application member.

The width of the cavity, measured in the circumferential direction, thatis to say perpendicularly to a median radius, may be constant orvariable. When it varies, its variation can be chosen so as to collectmore or less product at the desired distance from the core, depending onthe desired makeup effect.

In variant embodiments, the hollow application member is toothed at itsperiphery. The teeth are for example formed by a succession of pointedarches that are concave toward the outside. The application member isfor example in the overall shape of a holly leaf. The teeth that arepresent at the periphery of the application member can promote thecatching of the eyelashes and also form reliefs that are suitable forcollecting product at a radial distance from the central part of theelement.

In variant embodiments, the application member has two lateral archeslinked by a top arch, the lateral arches and the top arch preferablyforming teeth at their meeting point. These teeth can help to comb andseparate the eyelashes. The top arch can be concave toward the outside,in which case the concavity formed by the top arch makes it possible tocollect product at a radial distance from the central part. The lateralarches can be concave in the opposite direction to the cavity formedtherebetween. The application member can have a shape which widenstoward the outside, away from the central part.

A device according to the invention can thus have one or more of thefollowing characteristics, considered in isolation or in combination:

-   -   said gap (e) may be less than or equal to 0.3 mm;    -   the application member may have an enlarged head, said gap (e)        being formed between two consecutive heads;    -   each application member may have the shape of a harpoon;    -   the application member may be toothed, the teeth being formed by        a succession of pointed arches that are concave toward the        outside, said gap (e) being formed between teeth of two adjacent        application members;    -   the application members may each have two lateral arms that are        joined at their end by an arch, forming teeth at their meeting        point, said gap (e) being formed between the teeth of two        adjacent application members;    -   each application member may have the overall shape of a V with        elbows at the ends of the V, the element preferably comprising        an alternation of a first application member having the overall        shape of a V with elbows oriented substantially perpendicularly        to a median plane for the application member, and a second        application member having elbows oriented toward the central        part, said gap (e) being formed between the end of an elbow of        one of the application members and an arm of an adjacent        application member;    -   the element may comprise a plurality of application members that        each have a leg that is attached to the central part and is        extended at one end by a portion defining a laterally open        concavity, notably a portion in the form of a slot, said gap (e)        being defined between said portion and an adjacent application        member;    -   said portion may be extended radially toward the outside by a        radial arm;    -   the element may have application members that each have a        central arm and two lateral arms forming a V that extend        respectively on either side of the central arm, said gap (e)        being defined between lateral arms of two adjacent application        members;    -   the element may comprise an alternation of a first application        member having the overall shape of an arrow, the tip of which is        directed toward the outside, and a second application member        having the overall shape of an arrow, the tip of which is        directed toward the central part, the head of the first        application member being further away from the central part than        the head of the second application member, said gap (e) being        defined between two adjacent application members, notably        between the base of one application member in the form of an        arrow that is directed toward the central part, where it is        widest, and the leg of an adjacent application member in the        form of an arrow that is directed toward the outside;    -   the element may comprise application members that each have two        arms that diverge away from the central part, the two arms        bearing an enlarged head at their ends, said gap (e) being        formed between the enlarged heads of two adjacent application        members;    -   the element may comprise application members that each have a        central arm and two V-shaped lateral arms extending respectively        on either side of the central arm, these lateral arms each being        provided at their end with an enlarged head, said gap (e) being        defined between an enlarged head of one application member and        the central arm of this application member;    -   the elongation axes (Y) of the application members of an element        may be coplanar,    -   at least one application member of an element may be flattened        in a plane, and notably each application member of one and the        same element may be flattened in a flattening plane common to        all the application members of the element.

A further subject of the invention, independently of or in combinationwith the above, is an applicator for applying a cosmetic composition tothe eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising:

-   -   a core,    -   at least one element attached to the core, each element        comprising a central part fitted onto the core and at least one        application member carried by the central part, a composition        collection surface being formed by the proximity between two        different portions of one and the same application member or of        two adjacent application members, the gap (e) between these        portions being less than or equal to 0.3 mm, these portions        being situated at a distance from the central part of greater        than or equal to 0.5 mm.

This applicator can have all or some of the features set out above. Inparticular, the gap between said portions can be less than or equal to0.2 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.1 mm. As indicated above,the width of this gap can be chosen to be sufficiently large to allowthe passage of an eyelash but sufficiently small to allow the formationof a bridge of composition by surface tension, following removal of theapplicator from the container. A preferred range for said gap can thusbe 0.1 and 0.3 mm.

A further subject of the invention is a method for the cosmetictreatment of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, notably for making them up,comprising the step of applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelasheswith the aid of an applicator according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be better understood from reading the followingdetailed description of nonlimiting exemplary embodiments thereof andfrom examining the appended drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic and partial view of an example of a packagingand application device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows the applicator part of an example of an applicator producedin accordance with the invention, on its own,

FIG. 3 shows an element used to produce the applicator part shown inFIG. 2, on its own,

FIG. 4 shows an example of a core on which the elements can be mounted,the core being shown before the mounting of the elements and twisting,

FIGS. 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 19 are views similar to FIG. 3 of variantembodiments,

FIGS. 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 show the applicator parts producedwith the elements in FIGS. 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19, respectively,and

FIGS. 21 to 31 show variant embodiments.

The packaging and application device 1 shown schematically and partiallyin FIG. 1 has a container 2 containing the composition to be applied andan applicator 3 for applying this composition.

The container 2 has a body which is provided for example, asillustrated, with a threaded neck 4 to which the applicator 3 can befastened when the device 1 is not being used.

A wiping member (not visible in the figure) is secured in the neck ofthe container, in the usual manner. It may be a flexible lip with aconical, wavy or other shape.

The applicator 3 has an applicator part 5 which is used for applying thecomposition, this applicator part 5 being mounted at one end of a stem6, the other end of which is carried by a gripping member 7 that alsoconstitutes, in the example in question, a closure member for thecontainer 2, being designed to be fastened to the neck 4.

The composition which is applied may be constituted by any cosmeticproduct intended for making up or for caring for the eyelashes and/oreyebrows. Preferably, it is mascara. The composition may notably includepigments, such as iron oxides, dispersed in an aqueous or anhydrousmedium. The capacity of the container is preferably between 5 and 30 ml.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an applicator part 5 produced from individualelements 10, one of which has been shown on its own in FIG. 3.

The applicator part 5 is preferably produced in accordance with theteaching of the U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,241 B2. The elements 10 are thusmounted on a core 9 that holds them in a stacked manner and securelyrelative to one another. This core 9 is for example a twisted core,produced from a metal wire folded into the form of a hairpin, asillustrated in FIG. 4.

In a variant, the core may be constituted by two separate metal wiresthat are positioned in a substantially parallel manner like the arms ofthe hairpin illustrated in FIG. 4, onto which the elements 10 arethreaded and which are then twisted.

The elements 10 have holes 11, which are shown schematically in FIG. 3,for the arms 9 a and 9 b of the core to pass through before the latteris twisted.

For the sake of clarity of the drawing, the core 9 has not been shown inFIG. 2, and the holes 11 passing through the central part 12 are onlyshown in FIG. 3.

In the example in question, the elements 10 are identical, but it wouldnot constitute a departure from the scope of the present invention ifelements 10 of different shapes were stacked on the core 9 within theapplicator part 5.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, each element 10 has application members 20 and30 which engage with the eyelashes or eyebrows while the applicator 3 isbeing used. In the example in question, the application members 20 arehollow and alternate in the circumferential direction with theapplication members 30 which are solid.

The application elements 20 and 30 have, in this example, the sameexterior shape, but it would not constitute a departure from the scopeof the present invention if the exterior shapes were different.

The central part 12 is in the form of a flattened disk, the holes 11 forthe arms 9 a, 9 b of the core 9 to pass through being disposedsymmetrically relative to an axis X of the element 10, which may be anaxis of symmetry for the central part 12.

The surface of the central part 12, to which the application members arejoined, may be in the shape of a cylinder of revolution about the axisX, but further shapes are possible.

In the example illustrated, the application members 20 and 30 each havea flattened shape in a plane which is coincident with the flatteningplane of the central part 12, this plane being perpendicular to the axisX and to the longitudinal axis Z of the applicator part 5.

The hollow application members 20 alternate with the solid applicationmembers 30, there being four hollow application members 20 in theexample in question, which are disposed at 90 degrees to one another.

The cavity 14 of each hollow application member 20 is formed by a strandof material 63 which describes a closed curve constituting an enlargedhead 60, this loop being joined to the central part 12 by a leg 61.

In the example illustrated, the enlarged head 60 has the overall shapeof a harpoon with, for the hollow application members 20, a top arch 65,which has a substantially parabolic shape that is convex toward theoutside, and a bottom arch 66, which is concave toward the central part12 and has less of a curvature than the top arch 65.

The cavity 14 has a radial dimension which is thus at its maximum on theelongation axis Y of the application member and which decreases towardthe top of the elbow formed by the meeting point between the arches 65and 66.

At this meeting point, the enlarged head 60 defines teeth 65 which areoriented in a direction away from the axis Y and toward the centralpart, this orientation helping to catch more of the eyelashes which areintroduced into the applicator part 5.

In the example illustrated, the distance e between the enlarged heads 60of two adjacent application members 20, 30 on the element 10 isrelatively small and less than the distance between the legs 61 at theirbase. The enlarged heads 60 are thus relatively close together. Thisdistance e may be between 0.1 and 0.3 mm, being large enough to allow aneyelash to pass into the space 69 between two legs 61 under the enlargedheads 60.

When the spacing e is sufficiently small, preferably less than or equalto 0.3 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, even better stillless than or equal to 0.1 mm, a cavity, which is almost closed, wherethe composition can collect, is formed in the space 69 between theapplication members 20 and 30. This almost closed cavity extends as faras the central part 12 in the example in question. A bridge ofcomposition can form by surface tension between the enlarged heads 60.

The small gap e tends to retain a certain quantity of compositionoutside the application members 20 and 30, in the recess 68 formedbetween the convex surfaces defining the top of the heads 60. This canmake it easier for the eyelashes to access the composition with whichthe applicator part 5 is loaded.

It is possible to have a height h and a width l of the applicationmember 20 or 30 which satisfy the relationship 0.5 h≤l≤2 h.

The straight line joining the closest-together regions of the facingportions, that is to say where the gap e is smallest, is situated at adistance u from the central part 12 of greater than 0.5 mm.

As mentioned above, in order to produce the applicator part 2, theelements 10 are threaded onto the core 9 and then the latter is twisted,as per the teaching of the patent U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,241 B2. The numberof elements 10 is for example between 2 and 100, better still between 5and 15.

In order to manufacture the elements 10, they can be molded in asuitable mold such that demolding takes place along the axis X.

In such a case, the presence of the cavity 14 within the hollowapplication elements 20 does not hamper demolding in any way.

In general, any thermoplastic material can be used to mold the elements10, regardless of the shape of the central part 12 and of theapplication members joined thereto. It is possible notably to use apolyolefin or a thermoplastic elastomer, for example of the SEBS type.

It is also possible to produce the element 10 from a non-thermoplasticmaterial, for example a metal or ceramic material.

During the twisting of the core, the elements 10 can undergo rotationrelative to one another, such that a progressive angular offset iscreated between the elements, along the core, this being able, ifappropriate, to create helical furrows in the applicator part 5.

While the applicator is being used, the composition can collect in thecavities 14 and between the enlarged heads 60, by virtue of theirproximity, notably in the recess 68 formed between the arches 65 of twoadjacent enlarged heads 60. The composition present in these recesses 68is easily accessible to the eyelashes, at a distance from the centralpart 12. Thus, the eyelashes do not have to penetrate deeply into thebrush in order to be loaded with product.

A variant embodiment of the applicator part 5 and of the elements 10with which the latter is produced will now be described with referenceto FIGS. 5 and 6.

In the example in FIG. 5, the element 10 only comprises hollowapplication members 20, unlike the example in FIGS. 2 and 3, where thereis an alternation of application members of different natures in thecircumferential direction.

All of the application members 20 are identical and each have a toothedshape. The cavities 14 are delimited by a strand of material 80 whichdescribes a succession of pointed arches, which are concave toward theoutside, teeth being formed at the meeting point between two arches.More particularly, in the example illustrated, the strand of material 80describes, starting from the central part 12, a first pointed arch 81,which is joined to a second arch 82, forming a first tooth 86, thissecond arch 82 itself being joined to a third arch 83, forming a tooth84.

Each application member 20 has a shape that is symmetric with respect toits elongation axis Y.

At their meeting point, the two arches 83 form a tooth 85, which definesthe vertex of the hollow application member 20 and is situated on theelongation axis Y.

Each application member 20 thus has the overall shape of a holly leaf.In this example, the cavity 14 extends over substantially the entireheight of the application member 20, less the thickness taken up by thestrand of material 80. The height m of the cavity, measured along theelongation axis Y, that is to say along a radius in the example inquestion, is thus greater than or equal to half the height h. There isfor example the following relationship between l and h 0.5 h≤l≤2 h.

FIG. 5 shows that the gap e which exists between two adjacentapplication members, at the teeth 86, is relatively small and preferablyless than or equal to 0.3 mm, and may notably be between 0.1 and 0.3 mm.The distance u, measured radially, between the central part 12 and theline joining the vertex of the teeth 86 of two adjacent applicationmembers 20 is greater than 0.5 mm, being for example around 0.6 mm inthe example illustrated.

In the example illustrated, the application members 20 substantiallymeet at their base, where the strands of material 80 are joined to thecentral part 12. The fact that the teeth 86 of the adjacent applicationmembers are relatively close together makes it possible to form, betweenthe first arches 81 of two adjacent application members, reserves ofproduct in a relatively confined space 90 which only communicates withthe outside through a relatively narrow opening 91, of width e. Thespace 90 constitutes an almost closed cavity.

The arches 82 which extend on either side of this narrow opening 91define a product collection surface at a non-zero radial distance fromthe central part 12. The user thus has a reserve of product in a space94, where the eyelashes can be introduced, while benefiting from teethformed at the meeting point between the different arches in order togrip the eyelashes.

All of the concavities formed by the different arches form acorresponding number of indentations in which product can collect,thereby increasing the loading capacity of the applicator part 5.

A variant embodiment of the applicator part 5 will now be described withreference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

In this example, the element 10 only has hollow application members 20that define a corresponding number of cavities 14.

Each application member 20 is formed by two lateral arches 100 that arejoined at their distal end by a top arch 101, the lateral arches 100 andthe top arch 101 being concave toward the outside. The arches 100 and101 form teeth 102 at their meeting points. The application member 20 isformed by a strand of material 105.

The product can collect in the concavity of the top arch 101, the bottomof which is set back from the vertex of the teeth 102 along theelongation axis Y. Product can also collect in the cavity 14 formed bythe strand of material 105. The facing lateral arches 100 of twoadjacent application members 20 define a space 111 between one another,in which product can also collect. This space communicates with theoutside through a narrow opening 112, this opening 112 leading outbetween the two teeth 102 of the two adjacent application members 20.

The fact that the opening 112 is narrow, with a width e of preferablyless than or equal to 0.3 mm, improves the retention of product betweenthe hollow application members 20.

The application members 20 of the example in FIG. 7 thus make itpossible to collect product in the cavity 14, and also in the recess ofthe top arch 101.

The teeth 102 favor the catching of the eyelashes on account of theiroblique orientation relative to the elongation axis Y. Finally, therelatively small spacing e between the adjacent application members 20also helps the eyelashes to catch, when the latter are able to beintroduced into the space 111.

In the example illustrated, the lateral arches 100 of two adjacentapplication members meet at their base. The number of applicationmembers 20 is equal to eight.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the elements 10 can be angularly offset withinthe applicator part 5, about the longitudinal axis Z thereof, on accountof the twisting of the core.

In the example in FIGS. 9 and 10, the element 10 comprises analternation of application members 30 a and 30 b which follow oneanother in the circumferential direction around the central part 12.

The application members 30 a and 30 b each have the overall shape of aV, with two diverging arms 140 toward the outside for the element 30 aand two diverging arms 150 for the element 30 b. The opening angle k′ ofthe Vs is for example between 15 and 60, better still between 30 and45°.

The arms 140 are bent toward the outside at their distal end and havetwo end portions 141 that are oriented perpendicularly to the elongationaxis Y, which is an axis of symmetry for the application member and iscoincident with a radius.

The arms 150 are likewise bent at their distal end, but at a greaterangle than the arms 140, such that the end portions 151 formed by theelbows each form an acute angle c with the corresponding portion 152 ofthe arm which is joined to the central part 12.

The arms 140 meet at their base. The same goes for the arms 150.

The application members 30 a and 30 b thus each form two reliefs thatare able to improve the catching of the eyelashes during make-upapplication.

Catching is particularly pronounced with the application members 30 b onaccount of the orientation of the end portions 151.

In the example illustrated, the gap e between the free end of oneportion 151 and the adjacent arm 140 of the neighboring applicationmember 30 a is small and preferably less than 0.3 mm, better still lessthan 0.2 mm, or even less than 0.1 mm, such that two application members30 a and 30 b form, between one another, an almost closed cavity 156that is able to collect a certain amount of composition.

The portions 141 and 151 can also define, between one another, a spacethat leads to the outside and contains composition, the latter beingable to be retained between said portions on account of its viscosity.This collection of composition at a relatively large radial distancefrom the central part makes it easier for the eyelashes to access thecomposition.

As in the above-described examples, the elements 10 are angularly offseton the applicator part, on account of the twisting of the core, asillustrated in FIG. 10.

In the example in FIGS. 11 and 12, each element 10 of the applicatorpart 5 has a succession of identical application members 160, forexample 14 thereof.

Each application member 160 has a leg 161 which extends along theelongation axis Y, and has four successive elbows 162 to 165, each at aright angle in the example in question.

The elbow 162 is directed in the clockwise direction, the elbow 163toward the outside, the elbow 164 in the counterclockwise direction, andthe elbow 165 toward the outside.

The elbows 163 and 164 form a groove 167 in the shape of a slot, thebottom of which is defined by a segment 168 of the application member.

The distal portion of the application member is defined by a segment 169which is parallel to the segment 168 and perpendicular to the segment170, which forms the elbow 162 with the leg 161.

The segment 169 is offset toward the segment 168 with respect to the leg161.

The gap e between the elbows 162 and 163 of two consecutive applicationmembers on the element 10 is relatively small, and is much less than thedistance between the legs of these application members and their base,notably preferably less than 0.3 mm, better still less than 0.2 mm, evenbetter still less than 0.1 mm. The legs 161 thus each form, with thesegment 168 which is directed from one of the application members towardthe other, an almost closed cavity 166 in which the composition cancollect.

The groove 167 makes it possible to form a reserve of compositionradially away from the central part, thereby allowing the eyelashes tobe loaded without the latter having to be dipped deeply into theapplicator part.

The segment 172 which defines, with the distal segment 169, the elbow164 also makes it possible to retain the composition on a surfaceradially away from the central part 12.

Moreover, the notch formed by the succession of elbows 162 to 164 formsa kind of hook that is able to improve the catching of the eyelashes onthe applicator part 5.

The distal segments 169 make it possible to benefit from a surfacehaving a high capacity for separating the eyelashes, since they make iteasier to introduce the eyelashes between the application members.

Various modifications can be made to this example, notably with regardto the shape of the abovementioned groove, which may be V-shaped in onevariant, in which case the number of elbows is reduced to three. Inother variants, the number of elbows is higher.

In the variant embodiment in FIGS. 13 and 14, each application member220 has a central arm 221 provided at its end with an enlarged head 222,and two lateral arms 223 that are disposed on each side of the centralarm 221 and diverge toward the outside. The lateral arms 223 are formedby simple spikes. The arms 221 and 223 meet at their base.

The angle g of divergence between the axes of the lateral arms 223 isfor example between 15 and 60°, better still between 30 and 45°.

This angle g and the length of the lateral arms 223 can be chosen suchthat their ends am sufficiently close together for them to be consideredto form, with the central part 12, an almost closed cavity 225, the gape between said ends preferably being less than or equal to 0.3 mm, oreven 0.2 mm or 0.1 mm.

When they are close together, the adjacent lateral arms 223 of twoconsecutive application members 220 of an element 10 can help to retaina certain amount of composition at the end of the arms 223, at a radialdistance from the central part 12.

The gap e between two adjacent lateral arms 223 protruding from twoconsecutive application members 220 is less than 0.3 mm, better stillless than 0.2 mm, even better still less than 0.1 mm.

For example, there are the following relationships between the totallength of the central arm, measured at the vertex of the head 222, andthe height of the lateral arms, measured along the elongation axis Y:j>1.4 k, better still j>1.5 k, and preferably 1.4 k<j<3k.

The presence of the head 222 creates a discontinuity 224 at its base,which is able to improve the catching of the eyelashes by the applicatorpart.

Between the central arm and each lateral arm there is also a V-shapedgroove that is open toward the outside, into which an eyelash can beintroduced, which can help to take hold of the eyelash in order tospread the composition on its surface.

The elements 10 may be angularly offset along the applicator part 5, onaccount of the twisting of the core 9, as illustrated in FIG. 14.

The variant embodiment in FIGS. 15 and 16 has an alternation ofapplication members 230 and 240 in the circumferential direction.

The application members 230 are in the shape of an outwardly facingarrow, while the application members 240 are in the shape of an inwardlyfacing arrow.

Each application member 230 thus has a leg 231 by which it is joined tothe central part 12 and a head 232 with a shape that tapers toward theoutside, forming, at its connection to the leg, discontinuities 232which can be oriented substantially perpendicularly to the elongationaxis Y of the application member 230.

The flat part of the head 232 is in this example parallel to theflattening plane of the central part 12.

The discontinuities 233 are for example situated more than half-wayalong the length of the application member starting from the centralpart 12.

The application members 240 have a radial arm 241 which is joined to anenlarged base 243 in the form of an arrowhead directed toward thecentral part 12.

Discontinuities 244 are formed at the meeting point of the arm 241 andthe base 243, these discontinuities 244 being oriented perpendicularlyto the axis Y.

The application members 230 make it possible to grip the eyelashes byvirtue of the presence of the discontinuities 233 formed by the head232. The tapered shape of the application members 230 ensures goodpenetration of the eyelashes therebetween.

Each head 232 and the adjacent radial arm 241 form a sort of guideagainst which an eyelash can press when it is introduced into theapplicator part 5, which can guide them until they cross thecorresponding discontinuity 233, the gap between the head 232 and theradial arm 241 being preferably sufficient to allow the passage of aneyelash.

The discontinuities 244 allow the collection of composition at adistance from the central part 12, in a more easily accessible zone forthe eyelashes than the surface of the central part 12.

The gap e between the base 243 of an application member 240 and the leg231 of an adjacent application member 230 is sufficiently small,preferably less than or equal to 0.3 mm, in order to create an almostclosed cavity 250 in the space extending between the central part 12 andthe edge of the discontinuity 244 along the leg 231 and the base 243.

Such a cavity 250 makes it possible to collect composition above thesurface of the central part 12. The distance between the base of the leg231 and the origin of the base 243 at the central part 12 may be greaterthan the spacing e, such that the cavity 250 narrows away from thecentral part 12.

The difference between the height t at which the discontinuities 233 aresituated with respect to the central part 12, measured along theelongation axis Y of the application member 230 in question, and theheight u at which the discontinuities 244 are situated, is for examplebetween 0 and 5 mm, better still between 0.5 and 2.5 mm, being forexample around 1 mm.

The elements 10 may be angularly offset along the applicator part, onaccount of the twisting of the core 9, as illustrated in FIG. 16.

A variant embodiment in which the application members 180 each have theoverall shape of a V, with two arms 181 diverging toward the outside,having bases that meet, and being provided at the end with enlargedheads 182 in the form of disks, will now be described with reference toFIGS. 17 and 18.

The angle d of divergence between the axes of the arms 181 is forexample between 15 and 60°, better still between 30 and 45°.

Each head 182 forms, with the arm 181 to which it is joined, adiscontinuity 183 which makes it possible to improve the catching of theeyelashes with the applicator part 5.

The close-together heads 182 of two consecutive application members 180can, when the gap e between them is sufficiently small, preferably lessthan or equal to 0.3 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, evenbetter still less than or equal to 0.1 mm, form an almost closed cavity187, which is delimited on the inner side by the central part 12, on thesides by the arms 181, and on the outer side by the heads 182.

The heads 182 can receive a certain load of composition on their surfacethat faces towards the outside, thereby increasing the quantity ofcomposition available on the outer surface of the applicator part 5. Inparticular, the composition can collect in the recess 188 formed betweentwo heads 182 of consecutive application members, the latter beingsufficiently close together for a bridge of composition to form bycapillary action.

The elements 10 can be angularly offset along the applicator part, onaccount of the twisting of the core 9, as illustrated in FIG. 18.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 has applicationmembers 200 that are each formed by three arms, namely a central arm201, which extends along the elongation axis Y of the application member200, is longest and is formed by a simple spike, and two diverginglateral arms 202, that deviate from the central arm 201 away from thecentral part 12 and are each provided at their end with an enlarged head203, for example in the form of a disk or ball.

The length j of the central arm 201 is greater than the height k of thelateral arms 202 measured at the vertex of the head 203. For example,j>1.4 k, better still j>1.5 k, and preferably 1.4 k<j<3 k.

The angle f of divergence between the axes of the arms 202 is forexample between 15 and 60, better still between 30 and 45°.

The arms 201 and 202 meet, for example, at their base.

The gap e between each head 203 and the central arm 201 is sufficientlysmall to form an almost closed cavity 205 that is able to collect acertain amount of composition.

Moreover, the composition can collect on the top of the heads 203, oneither side of the central arm 201, on account of the proximity betweenthe heads 203 and the central arm 201. Thus, when an eyelash isintroduced into the applicator part 5, it can press against the head 203and be loaded with composition. It can also be introduced between theheads 203 of two adjacent application members 201 that are spacedfurther apart than the heads 203 are from the central arm. The presenceof the arms 202 provided with heads makes it possible to improve thecatching of the eyelashes by the applicator part 5, by virtue of thediscontinuity formed at the base of the head where it is joined to thearm, which tends to retain the eyelash.

FIGS. 21 to 30 display application member 300 that comprises twoportions 302 that cooperate to form an unclosed loop. At their junction,the two portions 302 cooperate without touching each other such as a gap305 is formed between them. The two portions 302 are separated from adistance e as illustrated. As illustrated on FIGS. 21 to 30, the twoportions 302 can have, at their junction, surface that has complementaryforms. The complementary form can be a plane surface, as illustrated inFIGS. 21 and 28, complementary forms with undulations, as illustrated inFIGS. 22 and 30, convex and concave forms, as illustrated on FIG. 29,triangular complementary forms, as illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27,rectangular complementary forms, as illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24,clipping complementary forms as illustrated in FIG. 25.

In FIGS. 2l to 25, 27 to 28 and 30, the gap 305 is disposed at thedistal end of the application member 300. As a variant illustrated inFIGS. 26 and 29, the gap 305 can be between the distant end of theapplication member 300 and the base of the application member 300 suchthat the portions 302 has different lengths.

The application member 300 can comprise reliefs on at least one of thetwo portions 302, as illustrated in FIG. 28, or protrusions 307, asillustrated in FIG. 27, or flocking, as illustrated in FIG. 30.

FIG. 31 displays an application member 400 comprising an unclosed loop402 opened at one of its extremity and a tooth 404 extending below theunclosed loop 402. The extremity 406 of the tooth 404 and the unclosedloop 402 are separated from each other of a distance e. When e pressureis applied on the unclosed loop 402, the latter can contact the tooth404 that prevent it from deforming.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have justbeen described.

For example, the number of application members may be different in eachof the examples.

It is possible to stack on the core elements 10 which are not identical,being made for example of different materials, notably with differenthardnesses, and/or having application members with different shapes.

The core can be given a curvature, such that the applicator part extendsalong a curved longitudinal axis.

1. A packaging and application device comprising: a container containingthe composition to be applied, an applicator for applying the cosmeticcomposition to the eyelashes or eyebrows, the applicator comprising: acore, at least one element attached to the core, each element comprisinga central part fitted onto the core and at least one application membercarried by the central part, a composition collection surface beingformed by the proximity between two different portions of one and thesame application member or of two adjacent application members, the gapbetween these portions being sufficiently small for a bridge ofcomposition to be able to form there by surface tension, these portionsbeing situated at a distance from the central part of greater than orequal to 0.5 mm.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said gap isless than or equal to 0.3 mm.
 3. The device according to claim 1,wherein the application member has an enlarged head, said gap beingformed between two consecutive heads.
 4. The device according to claim3, wherein each application member has the shape of a harpoon.
 5. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the application member is toothed,the teeth being formed by a succession of pointed arches that areconcave toward the outside, said gap being formed between teeth of twoadjacent application members.
 6. The device according to claim 1,wherein the application members each have two lateral arms that arejoined at their end by an arch, forming teeth at their meeting point,said gap being formed between the teeth of two adjacent applicationmembers.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein each applicationmember has the overall shape of a V with elbows at the ends of the V,said gap being formed between the end of an elbow of one of theapplication members and an arm of an adjacent application member.
 8. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the element comprises a pluralityof application members that each have a leg that is attached to thecentral part and is extended at one end by a portion defining alaterally open concavity, said gap being defined between said portionand an adjacent application member.
 9. The device according to claim 8,wherein said portion is extended radially toward the outside by a radialarm.
 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the element comprisesapplication members that each have a central arm and two lateral armsforming a V that extend respectively on either side of the central arm,said gap being defined between lateral arms of two adjacent applicationmembers.
 11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the elementcomprises an alternation of a first application member having theoverall shape of an arrow, the tip of which is directed toward theoutside, and a second application member having the overall shape of anarrow, the tip of which is directed toward the central part, the head ofthe first application member being further away from the central partthan the head of the second application member, said gap being definedbetween two adjacent application members, where it is widest, and theleg of an adjacent application member in the form of an arrow that isdirected toward the outside.
 12. The device according to claim 1,wherein the element comprises application members that each have twoarms that diverge away from the central part, the two arms bearing anenlarged head at their ends, said gap being formed between the enlargedheads of two adjacent application members.
 13. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the element comprises application members that eachhave a central arm and two V-shaped lateral arms extending respectivelyon either side of the central arm, these lateral arms each beingprovided at their end with an enlarged head, said gap being definedbetween an enlarged head of one application member and the central armof this application member.
 14. The device according to claim 1, whereinthe elongation axes of the application members of an element arecoplanar.
 15. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least oneapplication member of an element is flattened in a plane.
 16. Anapplicator for applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes oreyebrows, the applicator comprising: a core, at least one elementattached to the core, each element comprising a central part fitted ontothe core and at least one application member carried by the centralpart, a composition collection surface being formed by the proximitybetween two different portions of one and the same application member orof two adjacent application members, the gap between these portionsbeing less than or equal to 0.3 mm, these portions being situated at adistance from the central part of greater than or equal to 0.5 mm.
 17. Amethod for the cosmetic treatment of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows,comprising the step of applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelasheswith the aid of a device according to claim
 1. 18. A method for thecosmetic treatment of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows comprising the stepof applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes with the aid of anapplicator according to claim 16.